Aerosol valve



Oct. 15, 1968 BARKER ETAL 3,405,851

AEROSOL VALVE Filed May 31, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 15, 1968 F BARKERET AL 3,405,851

AEROSOL VALVE s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1966 I /////i// l a J uv.llllllllllllll INVENTOR6 5/? Xrromvii Oct. 15, 1968 F, BARKER ET AL3,405,851

AEROSOL VALVE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 31, 1966 INVENTORS 4/?7//(//PfkffifA /Qk MIKE/Q v/7779/9/v/4 CO/VVf/PS WYFi'H,

ATTORN United States Patent 3,405,851 AEROSOL VALVE Arthur FrederickBarker, Newark, Dell., and Nathaniel Convers Wyeth, Rosedale, Pa.,assignors to E. l. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., acorporation of Delaware Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 553,774 3 Claims.(Cl. 222-505) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-sealing aerosol valvecomprising a plastic strip running across the diameter of the top of theaerosol container and a resilient lining attached to the underside ofthe plastic strip. Both the strip and the liner are shaped to form aspout-like projection. The plastic strip is channeled with severalchannels across its width so that the internal pressure of the containerforces it to assume a convex configuration. Upon the application ofexternal pressure which forces the strip to a concave configuration, thespout-like projection opens.

A self-sealing aerosol valve comprising a tubular valve housing fittedinto the orifice of the aerosol container, and having a portion thereofprojecting beyond the tubular section itself. A tubular elastomericliner is fitted in side said tubular housing and is constructed to abutin its portions which extend along the projecting portion of saidtubular section. A toggle lever, activated by a plunger or activatinglever, is attached to the portion of said liner which extends along theprojecting portion of said tubular section.

The present invention is directed to novel aerosol valve assemblies forpressurized aerosol containers. More specifically, the present inventionis directed to an improved aerosol valve assembly adapted to beself-sealing, that is, having provision for automatically closing offfrom the atmosphere the discharge opening in the valve assembly exceptduring those periods when the package is in use.

In relatively recent years, a great many commodities have come to besold in pressurized aerosol containers in which a product is dischargedfrom the container under pressure generated by an aerosol propellantwithin the container. Control of the discharge of the product is had bymeans of a valve assembly ordinarily mounted at the mouth of thecontainer. The valve assembly usually includes an actuating device foropening the valve closure and a discharge orifice through which theproduct is dispensed.

Despite the continually increasing number of commodities being marketedin aerosol containers, there has been heretofore a large number ofcomestible products which could not be efiectively marketed in thismanner. There are several reasons why present-day aerosol valves fail asdispensing assemblies for food products. First of all, the particle sizeof many food products is of such a nature that the discharge meteringorifice in the standard valve is easily clogged by such particles.Secondly, the food particles, when trapped in the standard valveclosure, can prevent an effective seal from forming, thereby allowingthe product to continuously seep through the closure. Finally, thestandard valves are designed in such a manner that the residue is leftexposed to the air in the valve passageways after discharge. It is wellknown ice that food products are of such nature that prolonged exposureto air adversely affects their quality or other physicalcharacteristics.

Any one of these problems is easily solved by itself, but the solutionof one problem usually magnifies the other problems. It has beendifficult to design a valve assembly especially adapted to food productsand the like which solves all these problems in one design.

The main ditficulty arises "from the fact that in the usual arrangementof the valve assembly there is a substantial distance between the pointwhere the valve closes and the discharge opening through which theaerosol contents are discharged to the atmosphere. As a result, thepassageways connecting these points through which the product must passbefore discharge are essentially dead spaces which are constantlyexposed to the atmosphere. Inasmuch as there is always some residue ofproduct left within this dead space between the valve closure and valvedischarge, any residue product which includes a non-volatile substance,such as comestibles, will eventually dry out in these passageways. Atthe same time, any product which will be adversely affected by exposureto the action of aerobic bacteria will have the residue in thesepassages so affected. Thus, upon subsequent usage of the aerosol, thedried out and/ or contaminated residue will be dispensed with freshproduct, rendering the discharged product totally unacceptable.

Another difiiculty in dispensing a comestible product and the like fromthe standard aerosol valve assembly is the inability to produce anair-tight seal at the closure after the aerosol package has beeninitially used. It is a common occurrence when dispensing volatile foodproducts for food particles or fibers to be caught in the valve closure,thereby preventing the formation of an air-tight seal. The non-volatileingredients in the comestible products build up with each discharge fromthe container until the closure is so clogged with the non-voltaileingredients that the valve is unable to close properly, therebyrendering the contents of the aerosol package useless.

Accordingly, this invention is directed to an improved aerosol valveassembly to be used in combination with the pressurized container fordischarging comestibles or the like which will have no dead spacebetween the valve closure and the discharge opening, thereby eliminatingthe problem inherent in said dead spaces such as the action of air orthe attack of aerobic bacteria. A further advantage of the present valveassembly is that the closing action of the valve closure progresses fromthe lower or internal portion of the spout toward the upper or externalsection of the spout, thereby causing the product in the dischargeopening to be squeezed out of the closure mechanism during the closingoperation. Another advantage of the present valve assembly is that thevalve closure is lined with a broad expanse of resilient materialwhereby any particles or fibers which are not squeezed out of theclosure will become temporarily embedded in the resilient liningallowing a complete air-tight seal to form nonetheless at the valveclosure. A further advantage of the present valve assembly is that theunique valve closure described above is operated by a toggle mechanismwhereby closing forces can be generated which are considerably higherthan can be generated by the more conventional spring operated valves.

The present preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings and will be described in detail hereinafter for the purpose ofillustrating one way in which the invention may be made and used. Fromwhat has been said above, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the principles and advantages of the invention could beobtained in other forms of the invention not specifically shown herein.The accompanying drawings and description to follow are, accordingly, byway of example only and are not intended to define or restrict the scopeof the invention.

A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisinvention and illustrate a preferred part of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the valve assembly of thisinvention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view in section of the valve assembly ofFIGURE 1, taken on plane 11', when the assembly is in the closedposition.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view in section of the valve assembly ofFIGURE 1, taken on plane 1-1 when the assembly is in the open ordischarging position.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of an aerosol valveassembly falling within the definition of the present invention, saidview being taken on plane 4-4 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view in section of the valve assembly ofFIGURE 4, taken on plane 5-5, when the assembly is in a closed position.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of still another embodiment of an aerosol valveassembly falling within the scope of the defined invention.

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view in section of the valve assembly shownin FIGURE 6, said view taken on plane 7-7', when the assembly is in theclosed position.

Referring first to the valve assembly embodiment shown in FIGURES l to3, it will be seen that the valve assembly is inserted into the mouth ofthe aerosol container 1. The valve assembly comprises a compositecontainer lid consisting of a metallic (tinplate or the like) exteriorsection 2 covering the entire opening in the container, a plasticinterlay strip 3 running across the diameter of the lid made of suchmaterials as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or acetal resin, and aresilient lining 4 underneath the plastic interlay strip 3 made from anelastomeric substance such as rubber. The composite container lidconsisting of the metallic section 2 and lining 4 is attached to theaerosol container around its periphery by crimping at 9 or by othertechniques well known to those skilled in the art. The plastic strip 3is crimped at its ends to the container at 9 as shown in FIGURES 2 and3.

The plastic interlay strip 3 and resilient liner 4 are drawn up throughan opening 6 in the metallic section 2 into a spout-like configuration 7with slotted opening 5 as more clearly shown in FIGURE 1. The resilientliner 4 is doubled over the plastic interlay 3 at the opening so thatany movement of the plastic interlay section forming spout 7 will causesimilar movement of the attached resilient liner. In this manner, thespout opening 5 is completely lined with the resilient elastomericsubstance. Although the spout opening 7 may be centered in the containerlid, it is preferable to position the spout at some point between theexterior edge and center of the container lid. The closer the spout 7 isto the crimped edge of the container lid, the greater will be theopening force generated by the toggle actuator. It is most preferred,due to fabrication considerations, that the spout 7 be substantiallyequidistant from the center point and crimped edge of the container top.The opening 6 is large enough to provide room not only for the spout 7to protrude through the metallic lid 2, but also to enable the user ofthe aerosol container to apply pressure to the center of the plasticinterlay strip 3.

Three sections of the plastic interlay strip are partially channeled toform hinge points 80, 8b, and 86, as clearly shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and3. These sections form hinge points which enable the plastic interlaystrip to flex to the position shown in FIGURE 3. The internal pressurewithin the aerosol normally forces the plastic interlay strip 3 andresilient liner 4 to assume the concave curvature of the metallic lid 2,thereby holding the flattened tube spout in the closed position with thegreatest amount of force as shown in FIGURE 2.

Turning now to FIGURE 3, which shows the valve assembly in the openposition, it will be seen that as pressure is applied by an externalforce (e.g., normal finger pressure), approximately at hinge point 8bthrough open section 6 of the metallic lid 2, the plastic interlay stripflexes, much like a diaphragm, at hinge points 81:, 8b, and 8c. Thisdepressing movement at the center of the plastic interlay strip 3 causesa considerable horizontally directed force to be exerted at the ends ofthe plastic interlay, which is characteristic of the typical toggleaction. This force at the ends of the plastic interlay strip 3 causessection 7 of the discharge spout to separate from the fixed section 7a.The separation of section 7 from 7a opens the spout opening 5, therebyenabling the product to be dispensed from the container 1. When thefinger pressure is released from the plastic interlay section 3, theinternal propellent pressure within the aerosol forces liner 4 andplastic interlay 3 to their original position, thereby reversing thetoggle action and closing the spout opening 5 by moving section 7against 7a. It is to be noted that as spout 7 closes it does so from itslower or internal portion toward its upper or external portion. Thisaction tends to squeeze materials out of spout opening 5 upon closing.Furthermore, it should be noted that any particles or fibers which arenot squeezed out in the closing action of the valve do not destroy theformation of an air-tight seal, since such particles tend to becomeembedded in the broad expanse of resilient material lining the valveclosure. These latter two actions are important features of the presentinvention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.In FIGURES 4 and 5, there is shown an upper portion of an aerosolcontainer 10 to which is crimped at 11 a top portion or lid 12 made fromtinplate or the like and having an opening 13 substantially centered inthe top plate into which the valving unit is introduced to the aerosolcontainer 10.

The valving unit consists of a rigid tubular valve housing 17, made froma plastic material having a high modulus of elasticity, e.g., nylon orthe like, which is inserted into the opening 13 of the aerosol container10. Ring-like grooves 23 are machined on the lower external portion ofthe tubular valve housing 17, where the valve housing 17 engages theopening 13 of the aerosol container 10. These ring-like grooves 23effect a more positive seal with the mouth of the container and providea locking action to prevent the accidental blowout of the valve assemblyfrom the container 10. An air-tight seal is effected by pressure fittingan elastomeric lining 18 between the mouth of the container 10 and thetubular valve housing 17. This elastomeric lining 18 is drawn up throughthe valve housing 17 to form a discharge spout with a slotted opening14. One side of the discharge spout is fixed, being supported by therigid section 15 which is an extension of the valve housing 17. Theother side 16 of the discharge spout 14 is laterally movable and isactuated by a toggle lever 19. The toggle lever is made more rigid byintegral stiffening ribs 20. To one end of the toggle lever 19 isattached a plunger 21, which slides axially within slide receiver 22.Slide receiver 22 is part of and integral with the rigid plastic tubularvalve housing 17.

The valve assembly of this embodiment is operated as follows. To openspout 14, plunger 21 is moved downward in slide receiver 22. Thisdownward movement causes the rigidized toggle lever 19 to pivot at ridge24, drawing the elastomeric movable portion 16 of spout 14 away fromfixed portion 15, thereby opening the spout 14 progressively from theupper or external lip to the lower or internal portion. The propellantwithin the aerosol container thereupon forces the product up throughtubular valve housing 17 and out discharge opening 14. The end of thetoggle lever 19 in'the plunger 21 tends to coil during this openingaction and thereby serves as a source of energy for the closing actionupon release of plunger 21. Release of plunger 21 causes toggle lever 19to pivot back on ridge 24, thereby closing the discharge spoutprogressively from the inside outward. This closing action serves tosqueeze out any particles or fibers in the discharge spout openingduring the closing operation. The broad expanse of resilient materialwhich forms the discharge spout 14 also serves to embed any trappedparticles which are not squeezed out by the closing action, therebyenabling an air-tight seal to form at the closure spout 14.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show still another embodimnet of this invention whereina toggle action actuator is combined with a discharge closure made ofresilient materials which closes progressively from the inside outward.In FIGURE 7, there is shown an upper portion of an aerosol container 25to which is crimped 26 a top lid 27 fabricated from tinplate or the likehaving an opening 28 substantially centered in the top lid. The valvingunit is introduced to the aerosol container 25 through this opening 28.

The valving unit consists of a rigid tubular valve housing 29, made froma plastic material having a high modulus of elasticity, e.g., nylon orthe like, which is inserted into the opening 28 of the aerosol container25. Threadlike grooves 30 are machined on the lower exterior portion ofthe tubular valve housing 29, where the tubular housing is inserted intothe aerosol container. These thread-like grooves 30 effect a morepositive seal with the mouth of the container and provide a lockingaction with the mouth of the container to prevent the blowout of theassembly from the container. An air-tight seal is effected by pressurefiting an elastomeric lining 31 between the mouth or opening of thecontainer 25 and the thread-like grooves 30 on the tubular valve housing29. The elastomeric lining 31 is drawn up through tubular valve housing29 to form a discharge spout with a slotted opening 32. One side of thedischarge spout is fixed, being held in place by rigid section 33 whichis an extension of tubular valve housing 29. The other side 34 of thedischarge spout is laterally movable and consists of a rubber tipactuated by toggle levers 35 which are wrapped around pins 38 ofactuator lever 39 in a spring-like manner at 36 and respectivelyanchored in support members 37. Support members 37 are integral withtubular valve housing 29. The movement of the toggle lever 35 isinitiated and controlled by actuator lever 39 acting through integralpins 38. Actuator lever 39 is engaged with both support members 37through tab 40. The support members 37 are slotted at 41 to allow tab 40to slide laterally forward as lever assembly 39 is depressed.

The valve assembly of this embodiment is operated as follows. To openspout 32, actuator lever 39 is depressed, whereupon tab 40 moveslaterally forward in slots 41. The depression of pins 38 of actuatorlever 39 gives a combined depressing and rocking action to toggle levers35, whereupon they pivot on shounder 42 of the valve housing 29. Therocking action separates movable section 34 of the discharge spout fromfixed section 33 in a manner whereby the opening 32 is progressivelyaccomplished from the external to the internal portion of the spoutorifice. The propellant within the aerosol container thereupon forcesthe product up through tubular valve housing 29 and out opening 32.Release of actuator 39 reverses the action of toggle levers 35 closingthe spout progressively from the inside outward. This closing actionserves to squeeze out any particles or fibers in the discharge openingduring the closing operation. The broad expanse of resilient materialwhich forms the discharge spout 32 also serves to embed trappedparticles which are not squeezed out by the closing action, therebyenabling an air-tight seal to form at the closure spout 32.

In view of the characteristic of toggle mechanisms of being rigid whentheir movable elements are aligned in a straight line, it will be seenthat a pair of opposed toggles may be used to operate an aerosol foodvalve. If one toggle is deflected to effect the opening of the valve,then the other will function as a fixed member. Or, if desired, both maybe opened simultaneously to provide a larger opening.

It will be seen that the novel aerosol valve assembly of this inventiondoes not have the undesirable dead space between the valve closure andthe valve discharge opening. It will also be seen that the dischargeopening closes progressively from the inside outward, thereby squeezingany food particles out of the sealing area on closing. It will also beseen that the closures in the above-described embodiments are all linedwith a broad expanse of resilient material. Thus, any particles orfibers trapped in the resilient lining by the closing of the valvemechanism do not destroy the air-tight seal, since such patricles orfibers become temporarily embedded in the resilient lining.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to he specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A valve assembly for a pressurized aerosol container comprising (A) alid adapted to cover the orifice of said container and attached to thelip of said orifice, said lid having an opening;

(B) a resilient member attached to the lip of the orifice of saidcontainer and adapted to flex between a concave and a convex position,said member having a spout extending therefrom through the opening ofsaid lid, said spout being constructed of two adjacent projections ofsaid member positioned to abut when said member is in its concaveposition and arranged to move to an open position by sequential motionof adjacent portions of at least one of said projections as said memberis moved to its convex position.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein element (B) comprises (1) aplastic interlay strip located beneath said lid and positioned such thatit extends across said orifice directly beneath the opening of said lidand is attached to opposing lips of said orifice, said strip having ahollow projection extending through the opening of said lid which isconstructed to form a spout, said strip being constructed and arrangedwith grooves across the width of its underside to provide flexibilitybetween a concave and a convex position; and

(2) a resilient lining shaped to conform with said strip and attached tothe underside of said strip, said lining having a hollow projectionwhich conforms with the spout of said strip, said lining constructed andarranged such that its portions which form said spout abut when saidstrip is in its concave position.

3. A valve assembly for a pressurized aerosol container comprising (A) alid adapted to cover the orifice of said container and attached to thelip of said orifice, said lid having an opening;

(B) a tubular valve housing constructed to fit said opening and having aprojection extending beyond 7 the tubular portion in the direction awayfrom said container;

(C) a tubular elastomeric lining fitted to and attached to the insideporion of said tubular housing, said lining constructed to abut alongits portions which extend along the projection of said housing; and

(D) container opening means on said valve housing comprising a togglelever operatively connecting with the portion of said lining extendingbeyond said tubular housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES, PrimaryExaminer.

N. L. STACK, JR., Assistant Examiner.

